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We are looking at a potential move to Paris in late Q1 of next year. I feel we've done a lot of homework around how to evaluate an offer, but still have several questions that I'd like to pose to others who've been down this road.
Current Situation:
We currently live in Denver, Colorado (suburbs, upper middle class community, best schools in the state). Both my husband and I are executives in the software industry and work full-time. We have three children (6yo, 4yo, 1yo) who are either in school or daycare during the day, although flexible working environments mean one of us is nearly always home. Quality of life here is very high -- good salaries, great benefits, good schools, medium cost of living, great weather.
Opportunity:
My husband is receiving an offer for the top executive position in his field at a private, international firm in the financial services space. The company is headquartered in Paris. Presumably I would continue in my current position for my company (no office in France -- EMEA branch is in London, but we have several French nationals who work from home). Our initial intention is to commit to a 5 year period, but potentially would/could stay permanently if we loved it and could work out the logistics.
Things to consider, and where I would like input from the expat community:
1)Type of Visa: Would my husband come on a "employee on assignment" card for senior managers or high-level executives? Would that allow me to continuing working in my current role, or would I need to have my company sponsor me for my own work visa?
2) Expat package: Is there any standard or set of typical elements that go into an expat package that we should expect and/or ask for in the offer? My biggest concerns here are cost of living -- Denver has a very moderate cost of living. To maintain any semblance of our current standard of living would necessitate an outrageous salary (just talking housing, day-to-day expenses here). There's no way an offer could begin to approach that level, and my salary will take a hit (because I'll continue making the same amount with significantly reduced purchasing power). I think we've figured out how to adjust for current expenses we will no longer have (or could opt to no longer have), but the housing cost (rent) and transportation are my biggest concerns. So, is it typical to receive a housing allowance? If so, are there any guidelines here on what to expect/ask for? Rent (or mortgage) appears to be roughly double in the Paris suburbs as compared to our current location.
3) Schooling: Any strong opinions on International vs. local schools? The kids are at ages where I think they would do fine in a French school (6yo would have a bit of an adjustment, but within a year could easily catch up.) So I'm curious to understand the debate for and against international schooling (again this could play into our evaluation of an offer and whether or not we ask for tuition support).
4) Locations: The company is located in 16arr, so my presumption is that we would look in the west, southwest, and northwest suburbs. Does anyone feel strongly about locals that are particularly suited to expats? While I don't want to move into an all expat community and lose out on the opportunity to embrace the French culture, I would like to find a community that helps make for a smoother transition for us, and the children. (I should insert here that I speak French, albeit it will take a few months to get back to a point where I am comfortable with day-to-day interactions. My husband does not speak French, although he is fluent in Spanish and will hopefully be able to pick up an additional language within a year.) We're hoping for a commute that is less than 40 minutes each way for DH. I'm not at all a city girl, and DH is not at all a country boy, so finding something that gives us a balance of community without congestion is important. We are big outdoor-types so that is also a consideration.
5) Relocation assistance: Does anyone have recommendations on strong expat relocation companies? I'm guessing they can help us with a lot of the logistics.
I know that's a lot to cram in, and a little long-winded. Thanks in advance for any insights, advice, and or cautionary tales!
Christine
Current Situation:
We currently live in Denver, Colorado (suburbs, upper middle class community, best schools in the state). Both my husband and I are executives in the software industry and work full-time. We have three children (6yo, 4yo, 1yo) who are either in school or daycare during the day, although flexible working environments mean one of us is nearly always home. Quality of life here is very high -- good salaries, great benefits, good schools, medium cost of living, great weather.
Opportunity:
My husband is receiving an offer for the top executive position in his field at a private, international firm in the financial services space. The company is headquartered in Paris. Presumably I would continue in my current position for my company (no office in France -- EMEA branch is in London, but we have several French nationals who work from home). Our initial intention is to commit to a 5 year period, but potentially would/could stay permanently if we loved it and could work out the logistics.
Things to consider, and where I would like input from the expat community:
1)Type of Visa: Would my husband come on a "employee on assignment" card for senior managers or high-level executives? Would that allow me to continuing working in my current role, or would I need to have my company sponsor me for my own work visa?
2) Expat package: Is there any standard or set of typical elements that go into an expat package that we should expect and/or ask for in the offer? My biggest concerns here are cost of living -- Denver has a very moderate cost of living. To maintain any semblance of our current standard of living would necessitate an outrageous salary (just talking housing, day-to-day expenses here). There's no way an offer could begin to approach that level, and my salary will take a hit (because I'll continue making the same amount with significantly reduced purchasing power). I think we've figured out how to adjust for current expenses we will no longer have (or could opt to no longer have), but the housing cost (rent) and transportation are my biggest concerns. So, is it typical to receive a housing allowance? If so, are there any guidelines here on what to expect/ask for? Rent (or mortgage) appears to be roughly double in the Paris suburbs as compared to our current location.
3) Schooling: Any strong opinions on International vs. local schools? The kids are at ages where I think they would do fine in a French school (6yo would have a bit of an adjustment, but within a year could easily catch up.) So I'm curious to understand the debate for and against international schooling (again this could play into our evaluation of an offer and whether or not we ask for tuition support).
4) Locations: The company is located in 16arr, so my presumption is that we would look in the west, southwest, and northwest suburbs. Does anyone feel strongly about locals that are particularly suited to expats? While I don't want to move into an all expat community and lose out on the opportunity to embrace the French culture, I would like to find a community that helps make for a smoother transition for us, and the children. (I should insert here that I speak French, albeit it will take a few months to get back to a point where I am comfortable with day-to-day interactions. My husband does not speak French, although he is fluent in Spanish and will hopefully be able to pick up an additional language within a year.) We're hoping for a commute that is less than 40 minutes each way for DH. I'm not at all a city girl, and DH is not at all a country boy, so finding something that gives us a balance of community without congestion is important. We are big outdoor-types so that is also a consideration.
5) Relocation assistance: Does anyone have recommendations on strong expat relocation companies? I'm guessing they can help us with a lot of the logistics.
I know that's a lot to cram in, and a little long-winded. Thanks in advance for any insights, advice, and or cautionary tales!
Christine